Pedal-operating mechanism



D. ANTONELLI. PEDAL OPERATING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. I7, 1917. RENEWED OCT. 23. 1919.

1,337,685. Patented Apr- 20, 1920.

INVENTOR WITNESSESC/ D ATToRN EY DOMENIGO ANTONELLI, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

PEDAL-OPERATING MECHANISM.

Application filed August 17, 1917, Serial No. 186,797. Renewed October 23, 1919.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DOMENICO ANTONELLI, a subject of the King of Italy, residing at 1145 S. 7th St, Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in Pedal-Operating Mechanism of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to player pianos, and 'has particular reference to mechanism, automatically operated, for controlling the actuation of the bellows-operating pedals thereof.

In carrying out the invention, use is made of a motor, embodying a crank shaft, the latter having flexible connections associated therewith and extending to the ordinary foot pedals of a player piano, whereby when the motor is in a state of rotation, the pedals will be automatically oscillated to efi ect the actuation of the piano.

With these and other objects in view, as will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in the novel features of construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully set forth in the following description, and having the scope of which indicated in the ap pended claims.

In the drawing- Figure 1 is a front elevation of a player piano, illustrating the application of the present invention thereto.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken through the mechanism comprising the preferred form of the invention.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a motor employed by the present invention.

Similar characters of reference denote corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawing.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the numeral 1 designates a conventional form of player piano, wherein is embodied the usual foot-actuated pedals 2, for controlling the operation of the piano mechanism (not shown). The pedals 2 are, as usual, mounted upon a swinging frame 8, which is adapted to be folded within the piano body when the pedals are not in use. Ordinarily the pedals 2 are manually actuated, and it is the aim of the invention to provide simple and efiicient means for auto matically oscillating these pedals, without requiring manual assistance.

To this end a spring motor 4 is mounted Specificationof Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 20, 1920.

Serial no. 332,851.

within the body of the piano, and the motor is preferably of a spring-actuated character, although it should be understood that an electrical motor may be substituted in lieu thereof if desirable. However, in this instance, the motor embraces a shaft 5, having the rotation thereof effected by means of spiral or clock springs 6, the latter may be wound by providing the shaft 5 with a bevel 7, which meshes with a similar gear 8 fixed to a vertically extending shaft 9. The upper end of the shaft 9 is also provided with a bevel gear 10, positioned to mesh with a similar gear 11, fixed upon one end of a horizontally disposed shaft 12. The other extremity of the shaft 12 protrudes beyond the outer face of the piano 1 and is provided with a hand wheel 13, which when rotated in a specified direction, will effect the winding of the motor springs 6, which will be clearly understood.

Crank arms 14 are keyed or otherwise se cured to the outer extremity of the shaft 5, and extend in opposite directions. The crank arms carry offset studs 15, to which are secured the inner extremities of chains or other flexible elements 16. The outer ends of the chains 16 are detachably secur d to staples 17 carried by the pedals 2, said staples being located eccentrically with regard to the axes of the pedals 2. Guide staples 18 are carried by the upper extremities of the pedals, and prevent lateral movement of the chains.

Thus it will be seen that when the motor d is in a state of rotation, the chains 16 will be alternately pulled to depress one or the other of the pedals 2, as'the latter automatically return to elevated positions through the agency of leaf springs 19, common to pedals of this character. If desired, the chains 16 may be disconnected from the pedals 2 so that thelatter may be operated in the ordinary manner. The major portion of the mechanism of the invention is hidden within the body of the piano; therefore, will not detract or mar the general appearance of the latter. While the chains 16 will eficiently operate the pedals 2, it will be appreciated that many other forms of me chanical contrivances may be associated with the motor 1 for producing this result, and therefore, I do not wish to be limited to this precise construction, but what I desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a player piano, the combination with the operating pedals thereof, of a spring-actuated motor, crank arms connected with the motor shaft, and flexible connections extending from said crank arms to said pedals, and means carried by said pedals and to which one end of the flexible connections are secured for imparting to the bellows an oscillating movement upon the active operation of said motor.

2. In a player piano, the combination with the operating pedals thereof, of a motor mounted within the body of said piano, crank extremities formed upon the ends of the motor shaft, chains having their inner extremities connected with said crank extremities, and their outer ends detachably connected with rigid staples carried by said pedals, whereby upon the active operation of said motor said pedals will be oscillated.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

DOMENICO ANTONELLI. 

